Archive for November 2nd, 2012

Fresh off his “climate disruption”-driven endorsement of President Obama, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has chosen to divert critical food supplies and power generators from desperate residents of Staten Island to Sunday’s New York City Marathon. Gothamist reports:

[T]hose urging the city to halt the run believe that the thousands of Marathon volunteers could direct their efforts towards post-Sandy relief and cleanup, “and they also argue that the event will divert thousands of police from important hurricane-related duties.” But despite petitions circulating, work started up again yesterday on the Marathon route.

A tipster, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us there were lots of workers in and out of the park today, who had “started before the storm and then came back starting yesterday.” Trailers are lined up from around 71st to 66th Streets on Central Park West, a food truck was set up today, and “generators have been sitting there at least a week.” The tents that were taken down prior to the storm have also been set back up, and there is a stage set up near 73rd Street.

Considering all the volunteer help and NYPD attention that’s already being diverted to the Marathon, the added sight of generators and food being channeled to the event is probably going to strike some New Yorkers as a little misplaced—we’re thinking of the ones who are currently lined up waiting for the National Guard to ration out MREs and bottles of water.

Because that’s just what people who have no electricity, food, running water or homes really need at this moment. I’m sure most New Yorkers are gonna be super-stoked to see this road race; mind you, without televisions or a way to get to the race, so they’ll have to watch the contest using the power of their imaginations. In the aftermath of a huge natural disaster, it’s a proven scientific fact that humans clamor to witness a clusterfuck of professional joggers realizing their lifelong dream of having a runner’s high climaxing with 40,000 other dudes in skin tight shorts. Hey Manhattanites–Even though you haven’t had a hot shower in a week, get out to the race and hand some anonymous runners you’ve never heard of bottles of Dasani.